❄️ December Beekeeping Guide: Winter stores, treatments and a quiet word from the hive

December is the month when the bees are properly settled in for winter. There is very little you can or should do inside the hive now, but there is still plenty you can keep an eye on from the outside. In this guide we will look at:

• 🐝 How your bees are behaving in December
• 🍯 Checking food stores and when to feed fondant or Apipasta
• 🧪 Winter varroa treatment with oxalic acid
• 🐝⚠️ Asian hornet updates for Ireland and what beekeepers can do
• 📋 Planning for 2026 and using the quiet season wisely
• 🎁 A few festive bits from Donegal Bees to round off the year

🐝 WHAT YOUR BEES ARE DOING IN DECEMBER

By December, colonies are usually clustered in the upper part of the brood chamber. The queen has greatly reduced laying, sometimes stopping altogether for a broodless period. The cluster moves slowly over the remaining stores, using their own body heat and careful movement to keep warm and conserve energy.

A strong colony in autumn normally copes far better with winter. Smaller colonies can struggle to maintain heat, especially in exposed sites, so good preparation earlier in the year really pays off now. Your main jobs this month are:

• Keeping hives secure, dry and upright after winter storms
• Checking entrances stay clear of dead bees and debris
• Monitoring food stores without breaking the cluster
• Timing any oxalic acid treatment correctly

You should not be pulling frames out or doing full inspections now. Short, gentle checks are enough.

🍯 Checking food stores: fondant, Apipasta and when to worry

December is very much a “stores” month. If a colony runs out of food now, it can starve quickly, especially during a cold snap. 

 🧺 Hefting the hive 

The simplest way to monitor stores is to “heft” the hive. Stand behind the hive, gently lift the back edge by a few centimetres and get a feel for the weight:

• Feels heavy – stores are probably still adequate. Make a note and check again in 3 to 4 weeks. 
• Feels worryingly light – the colony may be running short. Add fondant as soon as possible.

🧁 What to feed in December 

At this time of year, fondant or a soft bee feed such as Apipasta is ideal. Liquid syrup is not recommended in cold weather as bees are less able to evaporate excess moisture and it can chill the colony. General guidance:

• Place 2.5 to 5 kg of fondant or soft feed directly above the cluster, ideally over the feed hole in the crown board.
• Use an eke or empty super if you need extra space above the frames.
• Check again later in the month or early January and top up if needed.

If your hives are already well provisioned, you may not need to feed yet, but it is always worth keeping an emergency block of fondant ready. Many winter losses come down to simple starvation.

🧪 Winter varroa control: oxalic acid timing

December or early January often gives a valuable broodless window. With little or no sealed brood present, almost all varroa mites are riding on adult bees, which makes oxalic acid treatments especially effective. A few key points:

• Aim to treat once, during a broodless period, typically late December or early January.
• Oxalic acid only kills mites on adult bees, not those sealed in brood cells, which is why timing matters.
• Treatments such as trickling or dribbling can be safely carried out in cold conditions, around 0 to 3 °C, provided you work quickly and avoid chilling the cluster.
• Always follow the product instructions carefully, wear appropriate protection and do not exceed the recommended dosage.

If you are unsure whether your colony is truly broodless, or which method is right for you, feel free to get in touch for advice before you treat.

🐝⚠️ Asian hornet update for Ireland

This year has been a turning point for invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) in Ireland.

• A confirmed capture in Cork triggered a national biosecurity alert.
• Shortly afterwards, the first Asian hornet nest in Ireland was found and removed in Cork following monitoring by NPWS and experts.
• Rolling updates report multiple confirmed sightings and nests across at least two counties, with ongoing monitoring and control efforts.
• By early autumn, there were more than twenty verified sightings, underlining the need for continued vigilance.

This is serious news for Irish beekeeping. Asian hornets are efficient predators of honeybees and other pollinators, and a single nest can consume many kilograms of insects in a season.

🧭 What can you do in December?

Even though hornet activity is low in winter, this is a good time to:

• Familiarise yourself and your family or club with Asian hornet identification.
• Review NPWS and National Biodiversity Data Centre guidance on how and where to report suspect sightings.
• Plan where any monitoring traps will go next spring, and learn how to use them responsibly.
• Talk to your local association about any coordinated hornet watch schemes planned for 2026.

📋 Planning for 2026: records, goals and gear

With hands on work reduced, December is a perfect month for planning. Use a quiet evening to go back through your records and ask:

• Which colonies performed well this year, and why?
• Which colonies struggled with swarming, disease or temperament?
• Do you plan to increase, decrease or maintain your hive numbers next season?
• Do you have enough boxes, frames and spare kit to match those plans?

• Clean and sterilise smokers, hive tools and feeders.
• Build and label frames so you are not caught short during spring build up.
• Repair, paint or retire tired timberware.
• Check stored supers and brood boxes for wax moth or rodent damage.

If you are not already a member of a local association, consider joining one in the new year. Groups affiliated with the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations, the Irish Beekeepers Association CLG and NIHBS all offer education, support and a chance to compare notes with beekeepers in your own area.

🎁 Festive gifts from the apiary

If you are still hunting for a present for a beekeeper, nature lover or candle fan, the hive has a few ideas: 

 🕯️ Irish beeswax candles

Our own ranges, including Banríona and Irish Wildflower Beeswax Candles, use high quality beeswax and create a warm, natural glow without synthetic fragrances.

🐝 Beekeeping starter kits

Ideal for anyone planning to start their beekeeping journey in 2026. A complete kit saves a lot of guesswork for beginners. 

🕯️ Candle moulds and accessories

Perfect for the crafty beekeeper who would like to try rolling or pouring their own candles during the winter evenings.

🎫 Gift vouchers

Great if you are not sure what they need. Vouchers can be used towards equipment, candles or courses.

🌿 Courses and experiences

Our Fundamentals of Beekeeping course and Honey Trail tours make thoughtful gifts for those who prefer experiences over “things”. Keep an eye on our Beekeeping Course and Honey Trail pages for upcoming dates. 

You will also find a dedicated Christmas Gift Guide 2025 section on the website, which gathers many of these ideas in one place.

✅ DECEMBER CHECKLIST

Here is a simple list to keep you on track this month:

⬜ Heft hives to assess food reserves

⬜ Add fondant or Apipasta if hives feel light

⬜ Check roofs, straps and stands after any storms

⬜ Keep entrances clear of dead bees and debris

⬜ Monitor for woodpecker or rodent damage

⬜ Plan and schedule your winter oxalic acid treatment

⬜ Review the year’s records and plan hive numbers for 2026

⬜ List and order any equipment you will need before spring

⬜ Read up on Asian hornet identification and reporting

⬜ Enjoy a bit of rest, your bees need you refreshed for spring

📞 NEED HELP OR HAVE QUESTIONS?

Thank you for everything you have done for your bees this year. Careful checks now, a little planning and the right winter treatment will give your colonies the best chance to thrive when the season turns again.

If you are unsure about feeding, treatments or planning for next year, we are always happy to chat through it with you.

Nollaig shona daoibh, agus go raibh sé ina bhliain mhaith beachaireachta oraibh ar fad in 2026. Beachaireacht shona! 🐝✨